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Rabbi David Rosen, director of inter-religious affairs at the American Jewish Congress, has warned that unless Europe and the Western world rediscovers its Christian roots, that it risks being overrun by Islam. The rabbi, who made the comments during a press conference last week, remarked that secular and liberal European society will inevitably be dominated by Muslims who do not wish to integrate with their Western neighbours. Another Israeli analyst stated that the West's love-affair with multiculturalism would ultimately result in the demise of Western society as we know it unless a strong cultural and religious identity can be maintained. Rosen, a Jewish Rabbi, believes that the only way of maintaining this common cultural identity against the growing tide of Islamic extremism in Europe is for Christians to become 'more Christian'.

Quote:""I am against building walls. My humanity is my most important component. But Western society very clearly doesn't have a strong identity. I would like Christians in Europe to become more Christian ... those who do not have a strong identity are easily overrun by those who do," the rabbi warned. "I think there is a pretty good chance that your grandchildren, if they are not Muslim, then they will be very strong Roman Catholics," he told one Italian reporter. "I don't think a tepid identity can stand up to the challenge."

Rosen's comments echo those of the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord Carey, who warns that Christianity in the United Kingdom is slowly but surely being 'airbrushed out of the picture'. The Archbishop cited recent examples of state discrimination against Christians, including that of nurse Shirley Chaplin, who was summarily dismissed after offering to pray for a sick patient, Gary McFarlane, a marriage guidance counsellor who was sacked after refusing to give sex therapy to homosexuals, and the closure of many Catholic adoption agencies over their refusal to place children with homosexual and lesbian partners. The list goes on. Lord Carey is mounting a campaign called 'Not Ashamed', which urges Christians not to give in to the pressures which would seek to marginalize the Christian faith in society.

Quote:"Olive Jones, 55, from Weston-Super-Mare, a Christian supply teacher dismissed after offering to pray for a sick pupil, travelled to London for the launch of the campaign. "I am not ashamed of my faith and I passionately believe in Jesus. I believe that the Bible is the solution to all our problems," she said. "I believe that the things that we value in this country such as education and the NHS have their foundations in Christianity. Christians have fought hard to help others and the weaker people in the community."

I personally believe that this Islamic extremism in Europe is a judgement from God upon the Western world. Our society has sought to remove God from its public places and discriminates against those who would keep His laws. And now a people who believe in a god, and demand that he be all acknowledged by all, whether by will or by conquest, whose laws are contrary to our own, now threaten our way of life. Did not the same thing happen to Israel, every time they forsook the Lord and sought after other gods? The answer to this problem is in the Scriptures...

2nd Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

It's sad that it takes a Jewish Rabbi to tell Christians to be 'more Christian'. And it is a great pity there are not more John Careys and Olive Jones in this country, who are prepared to stand up and be counted. We need more people like that. But none of this will be of any worth unless each of us acknowledges the Lord Jesus Christ in our own lives. For how can we expect society to make room for Christians if we are not willing to first make room for Christ in our own lives? That's what the disciples did, and they became known as the men who "turned the world upside down", Acts 17:6. And again, when the rulers of the people saw their boldness, "they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus", Acts 4:13. That's where the difference is. It's not in trying to conform society to certain rules and regulations. It's about being a witness for Christ. If you are a Christian then be encouraged. And if not, then why not? Turn away from your sin, and put your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation today.

John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: